Footwear Having Sensor System

ABSTRACT

A shoe has a sensor system operably connected to a communication port. Performance data is collected by the system and can be transferred for further use via the communication port. The shoe may contain an electronic module configured to gather data from the sensors. The module may also transmit the data to an external device for further processing. Users can use the collected data for a variety of different uses or applications.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 16/397,431, filed Apr. 29, 2019, which is a continuation ofU.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/288,472, filed Oct. 7, 2016, andissued as U.S. Pat. No. 10,314,361 on Jun. 11, 2019, which is acontinuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/483,828, filed onJun. 12, 2009, and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,462,844 on Oct. 11, 2016,which is a non-provisional of and claims priority to U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application No. 61/061,427, filed on Jun. 13, 2008, and U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 61/138,048, filed on Dec. 16, 2008,all of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention generally relates to footwear having a sensorsystem and, more particularly, to a shoe having a force sensor assemblyoperably connected to a communication port located in the shoe.

BACKGROUND

Shoes having sensor systems incorporated therein are known. Sensorsystems collect performance data wherein the data can be accessed forlater use such as for analysis purposes. In certain systems, the sensorsystems are complex or data can only be accessed or used with certainoperating systems. Thus, uses for the collected data can beunnecessarily limited. Accordingly, while certain shoes having sensorsystems provide a number of advantageous features, they neverthelesshave certain limitations. The present invention seeks to overcomecertain of these limitations and other drawbacks of the prior art, andto provide new features not heretofore available.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The present invention relates generally to footwear having a sensorsystem. Aspects of the invention relate to an article of footwear thatincludes an upper member and a sole structure, with a sensor systemconnected to the sole structure. The sensor system includes a pluralityof sensors that are configured for detecting forces exerted by a user'sfoot on the sensor.

According to one aspect, the footwear further contains a communicationport operably connected with the sensors. In one embodiment, thecommunication port is configured for transmitting data regarding forcesdetected by each sensor in a universally readable format. The port mayalso be configured for connection to an electronic module to allowcommunication between the sensors and the module.

According to another aspect, the footwear contains an electronic modulein communication with the sensors, which is configured for collectingdata from the sensors. The module may be connected with the sensorsthrough the communication port, and may be positioned within a cavity inthe footwear. In one embodiment, the module is further configured fortransmitting the data to an external device for further processing.

According to another aspect, the footwear may contain a well located inthe sole structure that is configured for removably receiving anelectronic module. The well may have a communication port connected withthe sensors and configured for communication with the module.

According to another aspect, the sensor system further includes aplurality of sensor leads connecting the sensors to the port and/or theelectronic module. The leads may also include one or more power leadsfor supplying power from the port and/or the module to the sensors.

According to a further aspect, the sensors may be one or more varioustypes of sensors. In one embodiment, the sensors are force-sensitiveresistor sensors. In another embodiment, the sensors include twoelectrodes with a force-sensitive resistive material disposed betweenthe electrodes. The electrodes and the force-sensitive material may bedisposed on separate members of the sole structure.

According to yet another aspect, the sensor system includes a firstsensor located in the first phalange area of the sole structure, asecond sensor located in the first metatarsal head area of the solestructure, a third sensor located in the fifth metatarsal head area ofthe sole structure, and a fourth sensor located in the heel area of thesole structure.

Additional aspects of the invention relate to a foot contacting memberor other sole member of the sole structure that has a sensor system asdescribed above, including a plurality of sensors, connected thereto.The foot contacting member or other sole member may be configured forinsertion into an article of footwear. In one embodiment, the solemember may include a plurality of electrodes and sensor leads configuredto be connected to a force-sensitive material disposed on another solemember.

Further aspects of the invention relate to a system that includes anarticle of footwear with a sensor system as described above, with anelectronic module connected to the sensor system, and an external deviceconfigured for communication with the electronic module. The module isconfigured to receive data from the sensors and to transmit the data tothe external device, and the external device is configured for furtherprocessing the data.

According to one aspect, the system also includes an accessory deviceconnected to the external device, configured to enable communicationbetween the electronic module and the external device. The accessorydevice may also be configured for connection to a second external deviceto enable communication between the electronic module and the secondexternal device.

According to another aspect, the data communicated to the externaldevice can be used in one or more different applications. Suchapplications can include using the data as control input for a programexecuted by the external device, such as a game program, or for athleticperformance monitoring, among other applications. Athletic performancemonitoring can include monitoring one or more performance metrics suchas speed, distance, lateral movement, acceleration, jump height, weighttransfer, foot strike pattern, balance, foot pronation or supination,loft time measurement during running, lateral cutting force, contacttime, center of pressure, weight distribution, and/or impact force,among others.

Still further aspects of the invention relate to methods utilizing anarticle of footwear containing a sensor system as described above. Suchmethods can include receiving data from the sensors at the electronicmodule and transmitting the data from the module to a remote externaldevice for further processing, which may include use in one or moreapplications. Such methods can also include removing or disconnecting afirst electronic module from the sensor system and connecting a secondmodule in its place, where the second module is configured for adifferent operation. Such methods can further include processing thedata for use in one or more applications and/or using the data ascontrol input for an external device. Aspects of the invention may alsoinclude computer-readable media containing instructions for use inperforming one or more features of these methods and/or utilizing thefootwear and systems described above.

Other aspects of the invention relate to a system that includes at leasttwo articles of footwear, each having a sensor system as describedabove, with an electronic module connected thereto, where eachelectronic module is configured for communicating data received from thesensors to an external device. The system may use several communicationmodes. In one embodiment, each module communicates separately with theexternal device. In another embodiment, the modules are additionally oralternately configured to communicate with each other. In a furtherembodiment, one electronic module is configured to transmit the data tothe other electronic module, and the other electronic module isconfigured to transmit the data from both electronic modules to theexternal device.

Still other features and advantages of the invention will be apparentfrom the following specification taken in conjunction with the followingdrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of a shoe;

FIG. 2 is an opposed side view of the shoe of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 3 is a top view of a sole of a shoe incorporating one embodiment ofa sensor system;

FIG. 4 is a side cross-sectional view of a shoe incorporating the sensorsystem of FIG. 3 ;

FIG. 5 is a side cross-sectional view of another shoe incorporating thesensor system of FIG. 3 ;

FIG. 5A is a side cross-sectional view of one embodiment of a portlocated in a well in a sole of an article of footwear;

FIG. 5B is a side cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of a portlocated in a well in a sole of an article of footwear;

FIG. 5C is a side cross-sectional view of a third embodiment of a portlocated in a well in a sole of an article of footwear;

FIG. 5D is a side cross-sectional view of a fourth embodiment of a portlocated in a well in a sole of an article of footwear;

FIG. 5E is a top view of a fifth embodiment of a port located in a wellin a sole of an article of footwear;

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of an electronic modulecapable of use with a sensor system, in communication with an externalelectronic device;

FIG. 7 is a side cross-sectional view of a sole of a shoe incorporatingthe sensor system of FIG. 3 , including an external output port;

FIG. 8 is a top view of a sole of a shoe incorporating anotherembodiment of a sensor system utilizing force-sensitive resistor (FSR)sensors;

FIGS. 9 and 10 are schematic views illustrating force-sensitiveresistive behavior of a force-sensitive resistive material;

FIGS. 11-14 are side cross-sectional exploded views of soles of a shoeincorporating embodiments of sensor systems utilizing force-sensitiveresistor (FSR) sensors;

FIG. 15 is a top view of a sole of a shoe incorporating anotherembodiment of a sensor system utilizing separate electrodes and aforce-sensitive resistive element;

FIGS. 16-20 are side cross-sectional exploded views of soles of a shoeincorporating embodiments of sensor systems utilizing separateelectrodes and a force-sensitive resistive element;

FIG. 21 is a side view of a shoe incorporating another embodiment of asensor system in an upper of the shoe;

FIG. 22 is a side cross-sectional exploded view of a sole of a shoeshowing interchanging of two electronic modules;

FIG. 23 is a schematic diagram of the electronic module of FIG. 6 , incommunication with an external gaming device;

FIG. 24 is a schematic diagram of a pair of shoes, each containing asensor system, in a mesh communication mode with an external device;

FIG. 25 is a schematic diagram of a pair of shoes, each containing asensor system, in a “daisy chain” communication mode with an externaldevice;

FIG. 26 is a schematic diagram of a pair of shoes, each containing asensor system, in an independent communication mode with an externaldevice;

FIG. 27 is a top view of two sets of layers for use in constructing asensor system; and

FIG. 28 is a top view of the assembly of an insert member containing asensor system, using one set of layers as shown in FIG. 27 .

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many differentforms, there are shown in the drawings, and will herein be described indetail, preferred embodiments of the invention with the understandingthat the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification ofthe principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the broadaspects of the invention to the embodiments illustrated and described.

Footwear, such as a shoe, is shown as an example in FIGS. 1-2 andgenerally designated with the reference numeral 100. The footwear 100can take many different forms, including, for example, various types ofathletic footwear. In one exemplary embodiment, the shoe 100 generallyincludes a force sensor system 12 operably connected to a universalcommunication port 14. As described in greater detail below, the sensorsystem 12 collects performance data relating to a wearer of the shoe100. Through connection to the universal communication port 14, multipledifferent users can access the performance data for a variety ofdifferent uses as described in greater detail below.

An article of footwear 100 is depicted in FIGS. 1-2 as including anupper 120 and a sole structure 130. For purposes of reference in thefollowing description, footwear 100 may be divided into three generalregions: a forefoot region 111, a midfoot region 112, and a heel region113, as illustrated in FIG. 1 . Regions 111-113 are not intended todemarcate precise areas of footwear 100. Rather, regions 111-113 areintended to represent general areas of footwear 100 that provide a frameof reference during the following discussion. Although regions 111-113apply generally to footwear 100, references to regions 111-113 also mayapply specifically to upper 120, sole structure 130, or individualcomponents included within and/or formed as part of either upper 120 orsole structure 130.

As further shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , the upper 120 is secured to solestructure 130 and defines a void or chamber for receiving a foot. Forpurposes of reference, upper 120 includes a lateral side 121, anopposite medial side 122, and a vamp or instep area 123. Lateral side121 is positioned to extend along a lateral side of the foot (i.e., theoutside) and generally passes through each of regions 111-113.Similarly, medial side 122 is positioned to extend along an oppositemedial side of the foot (i.e., the inside) and generally passes througheach of regions 111-113. Vamp area 123 is positioned between lateralside 121 and medial side 122 to correspond with an upper surface orinstep area of the foot. Vamp area 123, in this illustrated example,includes a throat 124 having a lace 125 or other desired closuremechanism that is utilized in a conventional manner to modify thedimensions of upper 120 relative the foot, thereby adjusting the fit offootwear 100. Upper 120 also includes an ankle opening 126 that providesthe foot with access to the void within upper 120. A variety ofmaterials may be used for constructing upper 120, including materialsthat are conventionally utilized in footwear uppers. Accordingly, upper120 may be formed from one or more portions of leather, syntheticleather, natural or synthetic textiles, polymer sheets, polymer foams,mesh textiles, felts, non-woven polymers, or rubber materials, forexample. The upper 120 may be formed from one or more of these materialswherein the materials or portions thereof are stitched or adhesivelybonded together, e.g., in manners that are conventionally known and usedin the art.

Upper 120 may also include a heel element (not shown) and a toe element(not shown). The heel element, when present, may extend upward and alongthe interior surface of upper 120 in the heel region 113 to enhance thecomfort of footwear 100. The toe element, when present, may be locatedin forefoot region 111 and on an exterior surface of upper 120 toprovide wear-resistance, protect the wearer's toes, and assist withpositioning of the foot. In some embodiments, one or both of the heelelement and the toe element may be absent, or the heel element may bepositioned on an exterior surface of the upper 120, for example.Although the configuration of upper 120 discussed above is suitable forfootwear 100, upper 120 may exhibit the configuration of any desiredconventional or non-conventional upper structure without departing fromthis invention.

Sole structure 130 is secured to a lower surface of upper 120 and mayhave a generally conventional shape. The sole structure 130 may have amultipiece structure, e.g., one that includes a midsole 131, an outsole132, and a foot contacting member 133, which may be a sockliner, astrobel, an insole member, a bootie element, a sock, etc. (See FIGS. 4-5). In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 4-5 , the foot contacting member 133is an insole member. The term “foot contacting member,” as used hereindoes not necessarily imply direct contact with the user's foot, asanother element may interfere with direct contact. Rather, the footcontacting member forms a portion of the inner surface of thefoot-receiving chamber of an article of footwear. For example, the usermay be wearing a sock that interferes with direct contact. As anotherexample, the sensor system 12 may be incorporated into an article offootwear that is designed to slip over a shoe or other article offootwear, such as an external bootie element or shoe cover. In such anarticle, the upper portion of the sole structure may be considered afoot contacting member, even though it does not directly contact thefoot of the user.

Midsole member 131 may be an impact attenuating member. For example, themidsole member 131 may be formed of polymer foam material, such aspolyurethane, ethylvinylacetate, or other materials (such as phylon,phylite, etc.) that compress to attenuate ground or other contactsurface reaction forces during walking, running, jumping, or otheractivities. In some example structures according to this invention, thepolymer foam material may encapsulate or include various elements, suchas a fluid-filled bladder or moderator, that enhance the comfort,motion-control, stability, and/or ground or other contact surfacereaction force attenuation properties of footwear 100. In still otherexample structures, the midsole 131 may include additional elements thatcompress to attenuate ground or other contact surface reaction forces.For instance, the midsole may include column type elements to aid incushioning and absorption of forces.

Outsole 132 is secured to a lower surface of midsole 131 in thisillustrated example footwear structure 100 and is formed of awear-resistant material, such as rubber or a flexible syntheticmaterial, such as polyurethane, that contacts the ground or othersurface during ambulatory or other activities. The material formingoutsole 132 may be manufactured of suitable materials and/or textured toimpart enhanced traction and slip resistance. The structure and methodsof manufacturing the outsole 132 will be discussed further below. A footcontacting member 133 (which may be an insole member, a sockliner, abootie member, a strobel, a sock, etc.) is typically a thin,compressible member that may be located within the void in upper 120 andadjacent to a lower surface of the foot (or between the upper 120 andmidsole 131) to enhance the comfort of footwear 100. In somearrangements, an insole or sockliner may be absent, and in otherembodiments, the footwear 100 may have a foot contacting memberpositioned on top of an insole or sockliner.

The outsole 132 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 includes a plurality of incisionsor sipes 136 in either or both sides of the outsole 132. These sipes 136may extend from the bottom of the outsole 132 to an upper portionthereof or to the midsole 131. In one arrangement, the sipes 136 mayextend from a bottom surface of the outsole 132 to a point halfwaybetween the bottom of the outsole 132 and the top of the outsole 132. Inanother arrangement, the sipes 136 may extend from the bottom of theoutsole 132 to a point greater than halfway to the top of the outsole132. In yet another arrangement, the sipes 136 may extend from thebottom of the outsole 132 to a point where the outsole 132 meets themidsole 131. The sipes 136 may provide additional flexibility to theoutsole 132, and thereby allow the outsole to more freely flex in thenatural directions in which the wearer's foot flexes. In addition, thesipes 136 may aid in providing traction for the wearer. It is understoodthat embodiments of the present invention may be used in connection withother types and configurations of shoes, as well as other types offootwear and sole structures.

FIGS. 3-5 illustrate exemplary embodiments of the footwear 100incorporating a sensor system 12 in accordance with the presentinvention. The sensor system 12 includes a force sensor assembly 13,having a plurality of sensors 16, and a communication or output port 14in communication with the sensor assembly 13 (e.g., electricallyconnected via conductors). In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3 , thesystem 12 has four sensors 16: a first sensor 16A at the big toe (firstphalange) area of the shoe, two sensors 16B-C at the forefoot area ofthe shoe, including a second sensor 16B at the first metatarsal headregion and a third sensor 16C at the fifth metatarsal head region, and afourth sensor 16D at the heel. These areas of the foot typicallyexperience the greatest degree of pressure during movement. Theembodiment described below and shown in FIGS. 27-28 utilizes a similarconfiguration of sensors 16. Each sensor 16 is configured for detectinga force exerted by a user's foot on the sensor 16. The sensorscommunicate with the port 14 through sensor leads 18, which may be wireleads and/or another electrical conductor or suitable communicationmedium. For example, in one embodiment, the sensor leads 18 may be anelectrically conductive medium printed on the insole member 133, themidsole member 131, or another member of the sole structure 130, such asa layer between the foot contacting member 133 and the midsole member131.

Other embodiments of the sensor system 12 may contain a different numberor configuration of sensors 16, such as the embodiments described belowand shown in FIGS. 8, 11-21, and 27-28 and generally include at leastone sensor 16. For example, in one embodiment, the system 12 includes amuch larger number of sensors, and in another embodiment, the system 12includes two sensors, one in the heel and one in the forefoot of theshoe 100. In addition, the sensors 16 may communicate with the port 14in a different manner, including any known type of wired or wirelesscommunication, including Bluetooth and near-field communication. A pairof shoes may be provided with sensor systems 12 in each shoe of thepair, and it is understood that the paired sensor systems may operatesynergistically or may operate independently of each other, and that thesensor systems in each shoe may or may not communicate with each other.The communication of the sensor systems 12 is described in greaterdetail below. It is understood that the sensor system 12 may be providedwith computer programs/algorithms to control collection and storage ofdata (e.g., pressure data from interaction of a user's foot with theground or other contact surface), and that these programs/algorithms maybe stored in and/or executed by the sensors 16, the module 22, and/orthe external device 110.

The sensor system 12 can be positioned in several configurations in thesole 130 of the shoe 100. In the examples shown in FIGS. 4-5 , the port14, the sensors 16, and the leads 18 can be positioned between themidsole 131 and the foot contacting member 133, such as by connectingthe port 14, the sensors 16, and/or the leads 18 to the top surface ofthe midsole 131 or the bottom surface of the foot contacting member 133.A cavity or well 135 can be located in the midsole 131 (FIG. 4 ) or inthe foot contacting member 133 (FIG. 5 ) for receiving an electronicmodule, as described below, and the port 14 may be accessible fromwithin the well 135. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4 , the well 135 isformed by an opening in the upper major surface of the midsole 131, andin the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 , the well 135 is formed by an openingin the lower major surface of the insole 133. The well 135 may belocated elsewhere in the sole structure 130 in other embodiments. Forexample, the well 135 may be located partially within both the footcontacting member 133 and the midsole member 131 in one embodiment, orthe well 135 may be located in the lower major surface of the midsole131 or the upper major surface of the insole 133. In a furtherembodiment, the well 135 may be located in the outsole 132 and may beaccessible from outside the shoe 100, such as through an opening in theside, bottom, or heel of the sole 130. In the configurations illustratedin FIGS. 4-5 , the port 14 is easily accessible for connection ordisconnection of an electronic module, as described below. In otherembodiments, the sensor system 12 can be positioned differently. Forexample, in one embodiment, the port 14, the sensors 16, and/or theleads 18 can be positioned within the outsole 132, midsole 131, orinsole 133. In one exemplary embodiment, the port 14, the sensors 16,and/or the leads 18 may be positioned within a foot contacting member133 positioned above the insole 133, such as a sock, sockliner, interiorfootwear bootie, or other similar article. In a further embodiment, theport 14, the sensors 16, and/or the leads 18 can be formed into aninsert or a liner, designed to be quickly and easily insertable betweenthe foot contacting member 133 and the midsole 131, such as shown inFIGS. 12 and 19-20 . Still other configurations are possible, and someexamples of other configurations are described below. As discussed, itis understood that the sensor system 12 may be included in each shoe ina pair.

In one embodiment, the sensors 16 are force sensors for measuringcompression of the sole 130 and/or force on the sole 130. For example,the sensors 16 may be force-sensitive resistor (FSR) sensors or othersensors utilizing a force-sensitive resistive material (such as aquantum tunneling composite, a custom conductive foam, or aforce-transducing rubber, described in more detail below), magneticresistance sensors, piezoelectric or piezoresistive sensors, straingauges, spring based sensors, fiber optic based sensors, polarized lightsensors, mechanical actuator based sensors, displacement based sensors,and any other types of known sensors or switches capable of measuringcompression of the foot contacting member 133, midsole 131, outsole 132,etc. A sensor may be an analog device or other device that measuresforce quantitatively, or it may simply be a binary-type ON/OFF switch(e.g., a silicone membrane type switch). It is understood thatquantitative measurements of force by the sensors may include gatheringand transmitting data that can be converted into quantitative forcemeasurements by an electronic device, such as the module 22 or theexternal device 110. Some sensors as described herein, such as piezosensors, force-sensitive resistor sensors, quantum tunneling compositesensors, custom conductive foam sensors, etc., can measure differencesor changes in resistance, capacitance, or electric potential andtranslate the measured differential to a force component. A spring-basedsensor, as mentioned above, can be configured to measure deformation orchange of resistance caused by pressure and/or deformation. A fiberoptic based sensor, as described above, contains compressible tubes witha light source and a light measurement device connected thereto. In sucha sensor, when the tubes are compressed, the wavelength of light withinthe tubes changes, and the measurement device can detect such changesand translate the changes into a force measurement. Nanocoatings couldalso be used, such as a midsole dipped into conductive material.Polarized light sensors could be used, wherein changes in lighttransmission properties are measured and correlated to the pressure orforce exerted on the sole. One embodiment utilizes a multiple array(e.g. 100) of binary on/off sensors, and force components can bedetected by “puddling” of sensor signals in specific areas. Still othertypes of sensors not mentioned herein may be used. It is understood thatthe sensors can be relatively inexpensive and capable of being placed inshoes in a mass-production process. More complex sensor systems that maybe more expensive could be incorporated in a training type shoe.

Additionally, the sensors 16 may be placed or positioned in engagementwith the shoe structure in many different manners. In one example, thesensors 16 may be printed conductive ink sensors, electrodes, and/orleads deposited on a sole member, such as an airbag or otherfluid-filled chamber, a foam material, or another material for use inthe shoe 100, or a sock, bootie, insert, liner, insole, midsole, etc.The sensors 16 and/or leads 18 may be woven into garment or fabricstructures (such as sockliners, booties, uppers, inserts, etc.), e.g.,using conductive fabric or yarns when weaving or knitting the garment orfabric structures. Many embodiments of the sensor system 12 can be madeinexpensively, for example, by using a force-sensitive resistor sensoror a force-sensitive resistive material, as described below and shown inFIGS. 8 and 11-21 . It is understood that the sensors 16 and/or leads 18also may be deposited on or engaged with a portion of the shoe structurein any desired manner, such as by conventional deposition techniques, byconductive nano-coating, by conventional mechanical connectors, and anyother applicable known method. The sensor system can also be configuredto provide mechanical feedback to the wearer. Additionally, the sensorsystem 12 may include a separate power lead to supply power to thesensors 16. In the embodiments described below and shown in FIGS. 5A-5Eand FIGS. 27-28 , the sensor system 12, 1312 includes a separate powerlead 18A, 1318A that is used to connect the sensors 16, 1316 to the port14, 14A-E to supply power from the module 22 to the sensors 16, 1316. Asa further example, the sensor system 12 can be made by incorporatingprinted conductive ink sensors 16 or electrodes and conductive fabric oryarn leads 18, or forming such sensors on the foam or airbag of a shoe.Sensors 16 could be incorporated onto or into an airbag in a variety ofmanners. In one embodiment, the sensors 16 could be made by printing aconductive, force-sensitive material on the airbag on one or moresurfaces of the airbag to achieve a strain gauge-like effect. When thebag surfaces expand and/or contract during activity, the sensors candetect such changes through changes in resistance of the force-sensitivematerial to detect the forces on the airbag. In a bag having internalfabrics to maintain a consistent shape, conductive materials can belocated on the top and bottom of the airbag, and changes in thecapacitance between the conductive materials as the bag expands andcompresses can be used to determine force. Further, devices that canconvert changes in air pressure into an electrical signal can be used todetermine force as the airbag is compressed.

The port 14 is configured for communication of data collected by thesensors 16 to an outside source, in one or more known manners. In oneembodiment, the port 14 is a universal communication port, configuredfor communication of data in a universally readable format. In theembodiments shown in FIGS. 3-5 , the port 14 includes an interface 20for connection to an electronic module 22, shown in connection with theport 14 in FIG. 3 . In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3-5 , the interface20 takes the form of electrical contacts. Additionally, in thisembodiment, the port 14 is associated with a housing 24 for insertion ofthe electronic module 22, located in the well 135 in the middle arch ormidfoot region of the article of footwear 100. The positioning of theport 14 in FIGS. 3-5 not only presents minimal contact, irritation, orother interference with the user's foot, but also provides easyaccessibility by simply lifting the insole 133. Additionally, asillustrated in FIG. 6 , the sensor leads 18 also form a consolidatedinterface at their terminal ends, in order to connect to the port 14. Inone embodiment, the consolidated interface may include individualconnection of the sensor leads 18 to the port interface 20, such asthrough a plurality of electrical contacts. In another embodiment, thesensor leads 18 could be consolidated to form an external interface 19,such as a plug-type interface as described below, or in another manner,and in a further embodiment, the sensor leads 18 may form anon-consolidated interface, with each lead 18 having its ownsub-interface. As illustrated in FIG. 6 , the sensor leads 18 canconverge to a single location to form the consolidated interface. Asalso described below, the module 22 may have an interface 23 forconnection to the port interface 20 and/or the sensor leads 18.

The port 14 is adapted for connection to a variety of differentelectronic modules 22, which may be as simple as a memory component(e.g., a flash drive) or which may contain more complex features. It isunderstood that the module 22 could be as complex a component as apersonal computer, mobile device, server, etc. The port 14 is configuredfor transmitting data gathered by the sensors 16 to the module 22 forstorage and/or processing. Examples of a housing and electronic modulesin a footwear article are illustrated in U.S. patent application Ser.No. 11/416,458, published as U.S. Patent Application Publication No.2007/0260421, which is incorporated by reference herein and made parthereof. Although the port 14 is illustrated with electronic contactsforming an interface 20 for connection to a module, in otherembodiments, the port 14 may contain one or more additional or alternatecommunication interfaces. For example, the port 14 may contain orcomprise a USB port, a Firewire port, 16-pin port, or other type ofphysical contact-based connection, or may include a wireless orcontactless communication interface, such as an interface for Wi-Fi,Bluetooth, near-field communication, RFID, Bluetooth Low Energy, Zigbee,or other wireless communication technique, or an interface for infraredor other optical communication technique.

The sensor leads 18 may be connected to the port 14 in a variety ofdifferent configurations. FIGS. 5A-5E illustrate example embodiments ofa port 14A-E positioned within a well 135 in an article of footwear 100,such as within a sole member of the sole structure 130 as describedabove. In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 5A-5E, the well 135 has aplurality of walls, including side walls 139 and a base wall 143.

FIG. 5A illustrates an embodiment of the port 14A where four sensorleads 18 and a power lead 18A are connected to the port 14A through asingle side wall 139 of the well 135. In the embodiment illustrated, thesensor leads 18 form a consolidated interface in the form of a 5-pinconnection, that is connected to an interface 20 of the port 14A. Inthis configuration, the leads 18, 18A are connected to the portinterface 20 to form a consolidated interface, and each of the leads 18,18A terminates in a connection pin 62 to form a multi-pin connection.This connection pin 62 can be considered an exposed end of the lead 18,18A accessible within the well 135, in one embodiment. Likewise, themodule 22 has a connection 23 that includes five pin connections 60 forconnection to the connection pins 62 of the leads 18, 18A in the portinterface 20.

FIG. 5B illustrates an embodiment of the port 14B where two sensor leads18 are connected to the port 14B through one of the side walls 139 ofthe well 135 and two other sensor leads 18 and a power lead 18A areconnected to the port 14B through another one of the side walls 139. Inthis embodiment, the leads 18 form two separate consolidated leadinterfaces 19, in the form of external interfaces 19, and the port 14Bhas two separate interfaces 20 for connection to the leads 18, 18A. Theexternal interfaces 19 may be plug-type interfaces, pin-type interfaces,or other interfaces, and the port interfaces 20 are complementarilyconfigured to connect to the external lead interfaces 19. Further, inthis configuration, the module 22 has two interfaces 23 that areconfigured for connection to the port interfaces 20.

FIG. 5C illustrates an embodiment of the port 14C where the sensor leads18 and the power lead 18A are connected to the port 14C through the sidewalls 139 and through the base wall 143 of the well 135. In thisembodiment, the sensor leads 18 form several separate lead interfaces 19for connection to the port 14C. The port 14C includes internal circuitry64 that consolidates the connections of all the leads 18, 18A to theport interface 20, for connection to the module interface 23. The port14C may further include complementary interfaces for connection to eachof the lead interfaces 19. It is understood that the leads 18, 18A maybe connected through one or more of the side walls 139 of the well 135in this embodiment, and that the leads 18, 18A are shown connectedthrough two of the side walls 139 for illustrative purposes. It is alsounderstood that in this embodiment, more than one lead 18, 18A may beconnected through a particular side wall 139 of the well 135, and thatonly one lead 18, 18A may be connected through the base wall 143.

FIG. 5D illustrates an embodiment of the port 14D where four sensorleads 18 and a power lead 18A are connected to the port 14D through thebase wall 143 of the well 135. In the embodiment illustrated, the leads18, 18A form a consolidated interface that is connected to an interface20 at the bottom of the port 14D, in a similar configuration to theconnections described above and shown in FIG. 5A. Each of the leads 18,18A terminates in a connection pin 62 at the port interface 20, and themodule interface 23 includes a plurality of pin connections 60configured for connection to the connection pins 62 of the leads 18,18A.

FIG. 5E illustrates an embodiment of the port 14E where four sensorleads 18 and a power lead 18A are connected to the port 14E through eachof four side walls 139 of the well 135. In this embodiment, the leads18, 18A form several separate interfaces 19 for connection to the port14E, similar to the embodiment described above and shown in FIG. 5C. Asdescribed above, the port 14E may include complementary interfaces forconnection to the lead interfaces 19, and may also include an interfacefor connection to the module 22. In other embodiments, the leads 18, 18Acan be connected through any number of side walls 139 of the well 135.

In embodiments such as those illustrated in FIGS. 5B, 5C, and 5E, wherethe sensors 18 form more than one interface 19, the port 14B, 14C, 14Eand/or the module 22 may have multiple interfaces 20, 23, or may haveonly a single interface 20, 23, and the port 14 may have internalcircuitry 64 to connect all of the leads 18, 18A to the interfaces 20,23. Additionally, the module 22 may have one or more interfaces 23 thatare complementary to the interface(s) 20 of the port 14, for connectionthereto. For example, if the port 14 has interface(s) 20 in the sidewalls 139 and/or base wall 143 thereof, the module 22 may havecomplementary interface(s) 23 in the side walls and/or base wall aswell. It is understood that the module 22 and the port 14 may not haveidentically complementary interfaces 20, 23, and that only one pair ofcomplementary interfaces 20, 23 may be able to achieve communicationbetween the components. In other embodiments, the port 14 and the well135 may have a different configuration for connection of the leads 18,18A. Additionally, the port 14 may have a different shape, which mayenable a greater variety of connection configurations. Further, any ofthe connection configurations described herein, or combinations thereof,can be utilized with the various embodiments of sensor systems describedherein.

The module 22 may additionally have one or multiple communicationinterfaces for connecting to an external device 110 to transmit the datafor processing, as described below and shown in FIG. 6 . Such interfacescan include any of the contacted or contactless interfaces describedabove. In one example, the module 22 includes at least a retractable USBconnection for connection to a computer. In another example, the module22 may be configured for contacted or contactless connection to a mobiledevice, such as a watch, cell phone, portable music player, etc. Themodule 22 may be configured to be removed from the footwear 100 to bedirectly connected to the external device 110 for data transfer, such asby the retractable USB connection described above. However, in anotherembodiment, the module 22 may be configured for wireless communicationwith the external device 110, which allows the device 22 to remain inthe footwear 100. In a wireless embodiment, the module 22 may beconnected to an antenna for wireless communication. The antenna may beshaped, sized, and positioned for use with the appropriate transmissionfrequency for the selected wireless communication method. Additionally,the antenna may be located internally within the module 22 or externalto the module. In one example, the sensor system 12 itself (such as theleads 18 and conductive portions of the sensors 16) could be used toform an antenna. In one embodiment, the module 22 may be permanentlymounted within the footwear 100, or alternately may be removable at theoption of the user and capable of remaining in the footwear 100 ifdesired. Additionally, as further explained below, the module 22 may beremoved and replaced with another module 22 programmed and/or configuredfor gathering and/or utilizing data from the sensors 16 in anothermanner. If the module 22 is permanently mounted within the footwear 100,the sensor system 12 may further contain an external port 15 to allowfor data transfer and/or battery charging, such as a USB or Firewireport, as shown in FIG. 7 . It is understood that the module 22 may beconfigured for both contacted and contactless communication.

While the port 14 may be located in a variety of positions withoutdeparting from the invention, in one embodiment, the port 14 is providedat a position and orientation and/or is otherwise structured so as toavoid or minimize contact with and/or irritation of the wearer's foot,e.g., as the wearer steps down in and/or otherwise uses the article offootwear 100, such as during an athletic activity. The positioning ofthe port 14 in FIGS. 3-5 illustrates one such example. In anotherembodiment, the port 14 is located proximate the heel or instep regionsof the shoe 100. Other features of the footwear structure 100 may helpreduce or avoid contact between the wearer's foot and the port 14 (or anelement connected to the port 14) and improve the overall comfort of thefootwear structure 100. For example, as illustrated in FIGS. 4-5 , theinsole 133, or other foot contacting member, may fit over and at leastpartially cover the port 14, thereby providing a layer of paddingbetween the wearer's foot and the port 14. Additional features forreducing contact between and modulating any undesired feel of the port14 at the wearer's foot may be used. Of course, if desired, the openingto the port 14 may be provided through the top surface of the insolemember 133 without departing from the invention. Such a construction maybe used, for example, when the housing 24, electronic module 22, andother features of the port 14 include structures and/or are made frommaterials so as to modulate the feel at the user's foot, when additionalcomfort and feel modulating elements are provided, etc. Any of thevarious features described above that help reduce or avoid contactbetween the wearer's foot and a housing (or an element received in thehousing) and improve the overall comfort of the footwear structure maybe provided without departing from this invention, including the variousfeatures described above in conjunction with FIGS. 4-5 , as well asother known methods and techniques.

In one embodiment, where the port 14 is configured for contactedcommunication with a module 22 contained in a well 135 in the solestructure 130, the port 14 is positioned within or immediately adjacentthe well 135, for connection to the module 22. It is understood that ifthe well 135 further contains a housing 24 for the module 22, thehousing 22 may be configured for connection to the port 14, such as byproviding physical space for the port 14 or by providing hardware forinterconnection between the port 14 and the module 22. The positioningof the port 14 in FIG. 3 illustrates one such example, where the housing24 provides physical space to receive the port 14 for connection to themodule 22.

FIG. 6 shows a schematic diagram of an example electronic module 22including data transmission/reception capabilities through a datatransmission/reception system 106, which may be used in accordance withat least some examples of this invention. While the example structuresof FIG. 6 illustrate the data transmission/reception system (TX-RX) 106as integrated into the electronic module structure 22, those skilled inthe art will appreciate that a separate component may be included aspart of a footwear structure 100 or other structure for datatransmission/reception purposes and/or that the datatransmission/reception system 106 need not be entirely contained in asingle housing or a single package in all examples of the invention.Rather, if desired, various components or elements of the datatransmission/reception system 106 may be separate from one another, indifferent housings, on different boards, and/or separately engaged withthe article of footwear 100 or other device in a variety of differentmanners without departing from this invention. Various examples ofdifferent potential mounting structures are described in more detailbelow.

In the example of FIG. 6 , the electronic component 22 may include adata transmission/reception element 106 for transmitting data to and/orreceiving data from one or more remote systems. In one embodiment, thetransmission/reception element 106 is configured for communicationthrough the port 14, such as by the contacted or contactless interfacesdescribed above. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6 , the module 22includes an interface 23 configured for connection to the port 14 and/orsensors 16. In the module 22 illustrated in FIG. 3 , the interface 23has contacts that are complementary with the contacts of the interface20 of the port 14, to connect with the port 14. In other embodiments, asdescribed above, the port 14 and the module 22 may contain differenttypes of interfaces 20, 23, which may be wired or wireless. It isunderstood that in some embodiments, the module 22 may interface withthe port 14 and/or sensors 16 through the TX-RX element 106.Accordingly, in one embodiment, the module 22 may be external to thefootwear 100, and the port 14 may comprise a wireless transmitterinterface for communication with the module 22. The electronic component22 of this example further includes a processing system 202 (e.g., oneor more microprocessors), a memory system 204, and a power supply 206(e.g., a battery or other power source).

Connection to the one or more sensors can be accomplished through TX-RXelement 106, but additional sensors (not shown) may be provided to senseor provide data or information relating to a wide variety of differenttypes of parameters, such as physical or physiological data associatedwith use of the article of footwear 100 or the user, including pedometertype speed and/or distance information, other speed and/or distance datasensor information, temperature, altitude, barometric pressure,humidity, GPS data, accelerometer output or data, heart rate, pulserate, blood pressure, body temperature, EKG data, EEG data, dataregarding angular orientation and changes in angular orientation (suchas a gyroscope-based sensor), etc., and this data may be stored inmemory 204 and/or made available, for example, for transmission by thetransmission/reception system 106 to some remote location or system. Theadditional sensor(s), if present, may also include an accelerometer(e.g., for sensing direction changes during steps, such as for pedometertype speed and/or distance information, for sensing jump height, etc.).

As additional examples, electronic modules, systems, and methods of thevarious types described above may be used for providing automatic impactattenuation control for articles of footwear. Such systems and methodsmay operate, for example, like those described in U.S. Pat. No.6,430,843, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2003/0009913, andU.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2004/0177531, which describesystems and methods for actively and/or dynamically controlling theimpact attenuation characteristics of articles of footwear (U.S. Pat.No. 6,430,843, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2003/0009913, andU.S. patent application Publication No. 2004/0177531 each are entirelyincorporated herein by reference and made part hereof). When used forproviding speed and/or distance type information, sensing units,algorithms, and/or systems of the types described in U.S. Pat. Nos.5,724,265, 5,955,667, 6,018,705, 6,052,654, 6,876,947 and 6,882,955 maybe used. These patents each are entirely incorporated herein byreference.

As further shown in FIG. 6 , an electronic module 22 can include anactivation system (not shown). The activation system or portions thereofmay be engaged with the module 22 or with the article of footwear 100(or other device) together with or separate from other portions of theelectronic module 22. The activation system may be used for selectivelyactivating the electronic module 22 and/or at least some functions ofthe electronic module 22 (e.g., data transmission/reception functions,etc.). A wide variety of different activation systems may be usedwithout departing from this invention, and a variety of such systemswill be described in more detail below with respect to various includedfigures. In one example, the sensor system 12 may be activated and/ordeactivated by activating the sensors 16 in a specific pattern, such asconsecutive or alternating toe/heel taps. In another example, the sensorsystem 12 may be activated by a button or switch, which may be locatedon the module 22, on the shoe 100, or on an external device incommunication with the sensor system 12, as well as other locations. Inany of these embodiments, the sensor system 12 may contain a “sleep”mode, which can deactivate the system 12 after a set period ofinactivity. In an alternate embodiment, the sensor system 12 may operateas a low-power device that does not activate or deactivate.

The module 22 may further be configured for communication with anexternal device 110, which may be an external computer or computersystem, mobile device, gaming system, or other type of electronicdevice, as shown in FIG. 6 . The exemplary external device 110 shown inFIG. 6 includes a processor 302, a memory 304, a power supply 306, adisplay 308, a user input 310, and a data transmission/reception system108. The transmission/reception system 108 is configured forcommunication with the module 22 via the transmission/reception system106 of the module 22, through any type of known electroniccommunication, including the contacted and contactless communicationmethods described above and elsewhere herein. It is understood that themodule 22 can be configured for communication with a plurality ofexternal devices, including a wide variety of different types andconfigurations of electronic devices. Additionally, thetransmission/reception system 106 of the module 22 may be configured fora plurality of different types of electronic communication. It isfurther understood that the shoe 100 may include a separate power sourceto operate the sensors 16 if necessary, such as a battery,piezoelectric, solar power supplies, or others. The sensors 16 may alsosimply receive power through connection to the module 22.

As described above, many different types of sensors can be incorporatedinto sensor systems according to the present invention. FIG. 8illustrates one exemplary embodiment of a shoe 100 that contains asensor system 212 that includes a sensor assembly 213 incorporating aplurality of force-sensitive resistor (FSR) sensors 216. The sensorsystem 212 is similar to the sensor system 12 described above, and alsoincludes a port 14 in communication with an electronic module 22 and aplurality of leads 218 connecting the FSR sensors 216 to the port 14.The module 22 is contained within a well or cavity 135 in the solestructure 130 of the shoe 100, and the port 14 is connected to the well135 to enable connection to the module 22 within the well 135. The port14 and the module 22 include complementary interfaces 220, 223 forconnection and communication.

The force-sensitive resistor shown in FIG. 8 contains first and secondelectrodes or electrical contacts 240, 242 and a force-sensitiveresistive material 244 disposed between the electrodes 240, 242 toelectrically connect the electrodes 240, 242 together. When pressure isapplied to the force-sensitive material 244, the resistivity and/orconductivity of the force-sensitive material 244 changes, which changesthe electrical potential between the electrodes 240, 242. The change inresistance can be detected by the sensor system 212 to detect the forceapplied on the sensor 216. The force-sensitive resistive material 244may change its resistance under pressure in a variety of ways. Forexample, the force-sensitive material 244 may have an internalresistance that decreases when the material is compressed, similar tothe quantum tunneling composites described in greater detail below.Further compression of this material may further decrease theresistance, allowing quantitative measurements, as well as binary(on/off) measurements. In some circumstances, this type offorce-sensitive resistive behavior may be described as “volume-basedresistance,” and materials exhibiting this behavior may be referred toas “smart materials.” As another example, the material 244 may changethe resistance by changing the degree of surface-to-surface contact.This can be achieved in several ways, such as by using microprojectionson the surface that raise the surface resistance in an uncompressedcondition, where the surface resistance decreases when themicroprojections are compressed, or by using a flexible electrode thatcan be deformed to create increased surface-to-surface contact withanother electrode. This surface resistance may be the resistance betweenthe material 244 and the electrode 240, 242 and/or the surfaceresistance between a conducting layer (e.g. carbon/graphite) and aforce-sensitive layer (e.g. a semiconductor) of a multi-layer material244. The greater the compression, the greater the surface-to-surfacecontact, resulting in lower resistance and enabling quantitativemeasurement. In some circumstances, this type of force-sensitiveresistive behavior may be described as “contact-based resistance.” It isunderstood that the force-sensitive resistive material 244, as definedherein, may be or include a doped or non-doped semiconducting material.

The electrodes 240, 242 of the FSR sensor 216 can be formed of anyconductive material, including metals, carbon/graphite fibers orcomposites, other conductive composites, conductive polymers or polymerscontaining a conductive material, conductive ceramics, dopedsemiconductors, or any other conductive material. The leads 218 can beconnected to the electrodes 240, 242 by any suitable method, includingwelding, soldering, brazing, adhesively joining, fasteners, or any otherintegral or non-integral joining method. Alternately, the electrode 240,242 and associated lead 218 may be formed of a single piece of the samematerial.

FIGS. 9-10 illustrate generally the use of a force-sensitive resistivematerial M in a sensor 16, such as the FSR sensors 216 shown in FIG. 8 .The electrodes (+) and (—) have an electrical potential P1 between them,as shown in FIG. 9 . When the force-sensitive resistive material M iscompressed, the resistance of the material M changes, and thus, thepotential P2 between the electrodes (+) and (—) changes, as shown inFIG. 10 . The material M may utilize volume-based resistance,contact-based resistance, or other types of force-sensitive resistivebehavior. For example, the force-sensitive resistive material 244 of thesensors 216 in FIG. 8 may behave in this manner. As another example, thequantum tunneling composite, custom conductive foam, force transducingrubber, and other force-sensitive resistive materials described belowand shown in FIGS. 16-20 exhibit force-sensitive resistive behavior. Itis understood that the electrodes (+) and (—) may be positioned in adifferent arrangement, such as in a sandwich arrangement with thematerial M positioned between the electrodes (+) and (—).

In the example embodiment shown in FIG. 8 , the electrodes 240, 242 ofthe FSR sensor 216 have a plurality of interlocking or intermeshingfingers 246, with the force-sensitive resistive material 244 positionedbetween the fingers 246 to electrically connect the electrodes 240, 242to each other. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 8 , each of the leads 218independently supplies power from the module 22 to the sensor 216 towhich each respective lead 218 is connected. It is understood that thesensor leads 218 may include separate leads extending from eachelectrode 240, 242 to the port 14, and that the module 22 may provideelectrical power to the electrodes 240, 242 through such separate leads,such as through a separate power lead 18A, 1318A as described elsewhereherein.

Force-sensitive resistors suitable for use in the sensor system 212 arecommercially available from sources such as Sensitronics LLC.Embodiments of force-sensitive resistors which may be suitable for useare shown and described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,314,227 and 6,531,951, whichare incorporated herein by reference in their entireties and made partshereof.

FIGS. 27-28 illustrate another embodiment of an FSR sensor system 1312for incorporation into an article of footwear 100. The sensor system1312 includes four sensors 1316, with a first sensor 1316 positioned inthe first phalange (big toe) area, a second sensor 1316 positioned inthe first metatarsal head area, a third sensor 1316 positioned in thefifth metatarsal head area, and a fourth sensor 1316 positioned in theheel area, similarly to the configuration shown in FIG. 3 . The sensors1316 each have a sensor lead 1318 connecting the sensor 1316 to the port14. Additionally, a power lead 1318A extends from the port 14 and isconnected to all four sensors 1316 in series configuration to supplypower to all four sensors 1316. Other configurations, including parallelconfigurations, are possible as well. As shown in FIG. 28 , each of theleads 1318, 1318A are connected to the port 14 for connection andtransfer of data to a module (not shown) connected to the port 14. It isunderstood that the port 14 may have any configuration described herein.In this embodiment, the leads 1318, 1318A are positioned suitably for a5-pin connection as shown in FIG. 5A, with a plurality of connectionpins 62.

Similarly to the system 212 described above with respect to FIG. 8 ,each sensor 1316 of the sensor system 1312 contains first and secondelectrodes or electrical contacts 1340, 1342 and a force-sensitiveresistive material 1344 disposed between the electrodes 1340, 1342 toelectrically connect the electrodes 1340, 1342 together. When pressureis applied to the force-sensitive material 1344, the resistivity and/orconductivity of the force-sensitive material 1344 changes, which changesthe electrical potential between the electrodes 1340, 1342. The changein resistance can be detected by the sensor system 1312 to detect theforce applied on the sensor 1316. Additionally, the FSR sensors 1316each have a plurality of interlocking or intermeshing fingers 1346, withthe force-sensitive resistive material 1344 positioned between thefingers 1346 to electrically connect the electrodes 1340, 1342 to eachother.

In the embodiment of the sensor system 1312 shown in FIGS. 27-28 , eachsensor 1316 includes two contacts 1340, 1342 constructed of a conductivemetallic layer and a carbon layer (such as carbon black) forming acontact surface on the metallic layer. The sensors 1316 also include aforce-sensitive resistive material 1344 that also is constructed of alayer or puddle of carbon (such as carbon black), which is in contactwith the carbon contact surface of the electrodes 1340, 1342. Thecarbon-on-carbon contact can produce greater conductivity changes underpressure, increasing the effectiveness of the sensors 1316. The leads1318, 1318A in this embodiment are constructed of a conductive metallicmaterial that may be the same as the material of the metallic layer ofthe contacts 1340, 1342. In one embodiment, the leads 1318, 1318A andthe metallic layers of the contacts 1340, 1342 are constructed ofsilver.

As shown in FIGS. 27-28 , in this example embodiment, the sensor system1312 is constructed of two flexible layers 1366 and 1368 that combine toform an insert member 1337 for insertion into an article of footwear,such as between the foot contacting member 133 and the midsole member131 as discussed below. The layers can be formed of any flexiblematerial, such as a flexible polymer material. In one embodiment, thelayers 1366, 1368 are formed of a 0.05-0.2 mm thick pliable thin Mylarmaterial. The insert 1337 is constructed by first depositing theconductive metallic material on the first layer 1366, such as byprinting, in the traced pattern of the leads 1318, 1318A and theelectrodes 1340, 1342 of the sensors 1316, to form the configurationshown in FIG. 27 . Then, the additional carbon contact layer isdeposited on the first layer 1366, tracing over the electrodes 1340,1342 of the sensors 1316, and the carbon force-sensitive resistivematerial 1344 is deposited as puddles on the second layer 1368, as alsoshown in FIG. 27 . After all the materials have been deposited, thelayers 1366, 1368 are positioned in a superimposed manner, as shown inFIG. 28 , so that the electrodes 1340, 1342 are aligned with the puddlesof force-sensitive resistive material 1344, to form the insert member1337 for insertion into the article of footwear 100. In one embodiment,the sensor system 1312 constructed in this manner can detect pressuresin the range of 10-750 kPa with high sensitivity.

The sensor systems 212, 1312 shown in FIGS. 8 and 27-28 can beimplemented within a shoe 100 between a foot-contacting member 133 and amidsole member 131 as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 . In one embodiment, theFSR sensor system 212, 1312 is inserted above the midsole member 131(and above the strobel, if present) during manufacturing of the shoe 100after connection of the upper 120 to the midsole 131 and outsole 132,and then the foot-contacting member 133 can be inserted over the sensorsystem 212, 1312. Additionally, in one embodiment, the sensor system212, 1312 can be inserted as part of an insert member, such as theinsert members 437 and 1337 shown in FIGS. 12 and 27-28 . FIGS. 11-14illustrate additional examples of implementing FSR sensors into anarticle of footwear, such as a shoe 100. The embodiments shown in FIGS.11-14 illustrate the midsole member 131 having a well 135 therein forreceiving an electronic module 22, and a port 14 for connection to themodule 22, as described above and shown in FIG. 4 . However, it isunderstood that the well 135 and/or the port 14 may be positionedelsewhere, such as wholly or partially within the foot contacting member133, as shown in FIG. 5 , or elsewhere in the shoe 100.

As one example, FIG. 11 illustrates a portion of a sole structure 130for an article of footwear containing an FSR sensor system 312, with amidsole member 131 having an FSR sensor assembly 313 connected thereto.In this embodiment, the FSR sensors 316 are partially imbedded withinthe midsole member 131 and the sensor leads 318 are connected to the topsurface of the midsole member 131. It is understood that the midsolemember 131 may have a layer covering the sensors 316 to hold them withinthe midsole member 131, and that the sensors 318 may be wholly orpartially imbedded within the midsole member 131, or the midsole member131 may have “pockets” for insertion of the sensors 316. The midsolemember 131 also has the port 14 connected thereto. The port 14 isconnected to the sensor leads 318 and is positioned within the well 135for connection with an electronic module 22 received within the well135. The sensor leads 318 form an interface 319 proximate the port 14for connection to the port 14.

As another example, FIG. 12 illustrates a portion of a sole structure130 for an article of footwear containing an FSR sensor system 412, withan additional sole member 437 containing an FSR sensor assembly 413. Inthis embodiment, the additional sole member 437 is an insert or linerconfigured to be inserted between the foot contacting member 133 and themidsole member 131. The insert 437 has FSR sensors 416 and sensor leads418 connected thereto. The insert 437 may have a configuration similarto the configuration of the insert 1337 described above and shown inFIGS. 27-28 , or may have another configuration. Additionally, in thisembodiment, the insert 437 is a thin layer of a flexible polymer webbingmaterial having the FSR sensors 416 and the sensor leads 418 mountedthereon to hold the sensors in position. It is understood that thesensors 416 and/or the leads 418 may be wholly or partially embeddedwithin the polymer material of the insert 437. In another embodiment,the insert 437 may consist entirely of the sensor assembly 413, withoutany binding or webbing material. The insert 437 is also configured forconnection of the sensor leads 418 to the port 14 and is positioned suchthat when the insert 437 is positioned between the foot contacting 133and the midsole 131, the interface(s) 419 of the sensor leads 418 willbe within or adjacent to the well 135 for connection through the port 14with an electronic module 22 received within the well 135. Additionally,the sole structure 130 can be provided with one or more other inserts437 having sensors 416 in different configurations. These other inserts437 can be removed and interchanged by lifting the foot contactingmember 133 and replacing one insert with another, differently-configuredinsert 437. This allows a single article of footwear to be used withdifferent sensor 416 configurations as desired, for differentapplications. For example, as described below, the sensor system 412 maybe configured for communication with an external device 110, anddifferent configurations of sensors 416 can be used for different gamesor other programs running on the external device 110. Further, theinsert 437 may be sized so that it can be used in many differentarticles of footwear of different sizes, providing versatility.

In an alternate embodiment, shown in FIG. 13 , an insert, liner, orother additional sole member 437A can be configured with a sensorassembly 412A for placement on top of an insole member 133. This insert437A can be configured similarly to the insert 437 described above, suchas having a flexible polymer webbing material that has sensors 416A andsensor leads 418A connected thereto. The sensor assembly 412A maycontain extended and/or consolidated wire leads 418A that extend aroundor through the insole 133, terminating in an interface 419A configuredto be connected to the port 14 positioned in the well 135 for connectionto an electronic module 22. It is understood that this insert 437A mayin some circumstances be considered a “foot contacting member,” as theinsert 437A forms a top part of the sole structure 130. Similarly to theinsert 437 described above, the insert 437A can be removed andinterchanged with other inserts 437A having different sensor 416Aconfigurations, and may be sized for placement in footwear havingvarious different sizes.

In another alternate embodiment, an insert member can be produced forconnection to another sole member, such as a foot contacting member 133or a midsole member 131. This insert member may be similar to theinserts 437 and 437A described above and shown in FIGS. 12-13 , such ashaving a flexible webbing material (such as a polymer) that has sensors416, 416A and sensor leads 418, 418A connected thereto. Thisconfiguration enables the sensor assembly 413, 413A to be mounted uponany member of the sole structure 130 as desired, to create a completesensor system. The insert member may be connectable to a sole member inmany different ways, such as by adhesives, fasteners, welding,heat-sealing, or any other suitable technique. It is understood that theinsert member 437, 437A, in one embodiment, may have no webbing materialand may include only the electronic components of the sensor assembly413, 413A.

As a further example, FIG. 14 illustrates a portion of a sole structure130 for an article of footwear containing an FSR sensor system 512, witha foot contacting member 133 having an FSR sensor assembly 513 connectedthereto. The foot contacting member 133 illustrated in FIG. 14 is aninsole member, however as described above, the foot contacting member133 may alternately be a bootie element, a strobel, a sockliner, a sock,or other type of foot contacting member for use in an article offootwear. In this embodiment, the FSR sensors 516 are partially imbeddedwithin the foot contacting member 133 and the sensor leads 518 areconnected to the bottom surface of the foot contacting member 133. It isunderstood that the insole member 133 may have a layer covering thesensors 516 to hold them within the foot contacting member 133, and thatthe sensors 518 may be wholly or partially imbedded within the footcontacting member 133, or that the foot contacting member 133 may havepockets for receiving the sensors 516. The terminal ends of the sensorleads 518 are configured for connection to the port 14 and arepositioned such that when the foot contacting member 133 is positionedon top of the midsole member 131, the interface 519 of the leads 518will be within or adjacent to the well 135 for connection through theport 14 with an electronic module 22 received within the well 135.Additionally, the sole structure 130 can be provided with multiple footcontacting members 133 having sensor assemblies 513 in differentconfigurations. These other foot contacting members 133 can be removedand interchanged by removing the foot contacting member 133 andreplacing it with another foot contacting member 133 having sensors 516in a different configuration. This allows a single article of footwearto be used with different sensor 516 configurations as desired, fordifferent applications, including programs running on the externaldevice 110, as described above.

FIG. 15 illustrates another exemplary embodiment of a shoe 100 thatcontains a sensor system 612 that includes a sensor assembly 613incorporating a plurality of sensors 616. The sensors 616 utilize pairs641 of electrodes 640, 642 and a separate force-sensitive resistiveelement 650, containing a force-sensitive resistive material 644 incontact with the electrodes 640, 642. In this embodiment, each electrodepair 641 and the force-sensitive material 644 combine to form a sensor616 and operate similarly to the electrodes (+) and (—) and the materialM described above and shown in FIGS. 9-10 . The sensor system 612 can bearranged similarly to the sensor systems 12, 212 described above, andalso includes a port 14 in communication with an electronic module 22and a plurality of leads 618 connecting the electrodes 640, 642 to theport 14. The module 22 is contained within a well or cavity 135 in thesole structure 130 of the shoe 100, and the port 14 is connected withinthe well 135 to enable connection to the module 22 within the well 135.

The force-sensitive resistive element 650 in FIG. 15 can be any elementthat is positioned in contact with the electrodes 640, 642. Theforce-sensitive element 650 may be entirely composed of aforce-sensitive resistive material 644, or may be only partiallycomposed of the force-sensitive material 644, such as by including alayer of force-sensitive material 644 or strategically-placed areascontaining the force-sensitive material 644. Additionally, theforce-sensitive element 650 may be one continuous piece or may includeseveral separate pieces. In one embodiment, such as the embodimentsdescribed below and shown in FIGS. 16-20 , the force-sensitive element650 may be contained in a member of the sole structure 130, or mayentirely form a member of the sole structure 130.

One material that is suitable for use as the force-sensitive resistivematerial 244 is a quantum tunneling composite (“QTC”), which providesvolume-based resistance behavior. A quantum tunneling compositegenerally includes a polymer matrix material that contains metallicparticles or other conductive particles. Upon compression, theconductive particles move closer together, allowing electrons to tunnelquantum mechanically through the insulative polymer matrix. As thecompression increases, the conductive particles move still closertogether, allowing more electrical flow and decreasing the measuredresistance. The particles in a quantum tunneling composite may haveirregular surfaces, which can enable a greater relative range ofmovement of the particles without the particles contacting each other.This behavior allows for quantitative or binary (on/off) detection offorce on the force-sensitive material. Suitable quantum tunnelingcomposite materials can be obtained from Peratech Limited, among othersources.

Another material that is suitable for use as the force-sensitiveresistive material 244 is a custom conductive foam, which also providesforce-sensitive resistive behavior. A custom conductive foam generallyincludes a foam made from a conductive material or containing aconductive material additive, such as carbon black or other forms ofcarbon, or a conductive polymer. The custom conductive foam allowsgreater conduction of electrons as the foam is compressed, thusdecreasing measured resistance. A further material that is suitable foruse as the force-sensitive resistive material 244 is a force-transducingrubber. The force-sensitive material 644 may be any other materialexhibiting force-sensitive resistive behavior, including any materialsdescribed above having volume-based or contact-based resistance.

The electrodes 640, 642 can be made from any of the materials describedabove with respect to electrodes 240, 242. In one embodiment, theelectrodes 640, 642 and/or the leads 618 can be printed onto a surface,such as a foot contacting member 133, a midsole member 131, or anothersole member, using a conductive ink. In another embodiment, conductivetape can be used for this purpose, as well as other structures andtechniques described above.

The sensor system 612 shown in FIG. 15 can be implemented within a shoe100 between a foot-contacting member 133 and a midsole member 131 asshown in FIGS. 4 and 5 , such as by connecting the force-sensitiveresistive element 650 to either the foot-contacting member 133 or themidsole member 131. FIGS. 11-20 illustrate additional examples ofimplementing sensors using a separate force-sensitive resistive elementinto an article of footwear, such as a shoe 100. The embodiments shownin FIGS. 11-20 illustrate the midsole member 131 having a well 135therein for receiving an electronic module 22 and a port 14 forconnection to the module 22, as described above and shown in FIG. 4 .However, it is understood that the well 135 and/or the port 14 may bepositioned elsewhere, such as wholly or partially within the footcontacting member 133, as shown in FIG. 5 , or elsewhere in the shoe100.

As one example, FIG. 16 illustrates a portion of a sole structure 130for an article of footwear containing a sensor system 712, with a footcontacting member 133 having an electrode assembly 713 connectedthereto. In this embodiment, the electrode assembly 713 includeselectrode pairs 741 and sensor leads 718 that are connected to thebottom surface of the foot contacting member 133. In one embodiment, theelectrode pairs 741 and the sensor leads 718 can be printed on thebottom of the foot contacting member 133, and in another embodiment, theelectrode pairs 741 and leads 718 can be contained within a layer on thebottom of the foot contacting member 133. It is understood that theelectrode pairs 741 and/or the leads 718 may be wholly or partiallyimbedded within the foot contacting member 133. The midsole member 131contains a force-sensitive resistive element 750 in the form of a layer751 of a force-sensitive resistive material 744 on the top surfacethereof. It is understood that this layer 751 may not be continuous insome embodiments. The sensor leads 718 have an interface 719 positionedwithin or adjacent to the well 135 for connection through the port 14with an electronic module 22 received within the well 135. Additionally,the sole structure 130 can be provided with multiple foot contactingmembers 133 having electrode assemblies 713 in different configurations.These other foot contacting members 133 can be removed and interchangedby removing the foot contacting member 133 and replacing it with anotherfoot contacting member 133 having electrode pairs 741 in a differentconfiguration. This allows a single article of footwear to be used withdifferent sensor configurations as desired, for different applications,including programs running on the external device 110, as describedabove. It is also understood that this configuration can be reversed,with the foot contacting member 133 having the force-sensitive resistiveelement 750 connected thereto, and the electrode pairs 741 may beconnected to the midsole member 131.

In another embodiment, shown in FIG. 17 , the sole structure 130contains a sensor system 812, with a foot contacting member 133 havingan electrode assembly 813 connected thereto in the same configuration asthe electrode assembly 713 described above and shown in FIG. 16 . Assimilarly described above, the electrode assembly 813 includes electrodepairs 841 and sensor leads 818 that are connected to the bottom surfaceof the foot contacting member 133, with the leads 818 terminating in aninterface 819 for connection to the port 14. However, in the embodimentof FIG. 17 , the midsole member 131 itself functions as theforce-sensitive resistive element 850, and is composed entirely of theforce-sensitive resistive material 844. This embodiment otherwisefunctions in the same manner as the embodiment shown in FIG. 16 , andprovides the same interchangeability. It is also understood that thisconfiguration can be reversed, with the foot contacting member 133functioning as the force-sensitive resistive element 850, composed ofthe force-sensitive resistive material 844, and the electrode pairs 841may be connected to the midsole member 131.

As another example, FIG. 18 illustrates a portion of a sole structure130 for an article of footwear containing a sensor system 912, with afoot contacting member 133, a midsole member 131, and an additional solemember 937 having an electrode assembly 713 connected thereto,positioned between the midsole member 131 and the foot contacting member133. The electrode assembly 913 includes electrode pairs 941 and sensorleads 918 that are connected to the additional sole member 937. In thisembodiment, the additional sole member 133 is an insert 937 made from athin layer of a flexible polymer webbing material having the electrodepairs 941 and the sensor leads 918 mounted thereon to hold the electrodepairs 941 in position. It is understood that the electrode pairs 941and/or the leads 918 may be wholly or partially embedded within thepolymer material of the insert 937. In another embodiment, the insert937 may consist entirely of the electrode assembly 913, without anybinding or webbing material. The midsole member 131 contains aforce-sensitive resistive element 950 in the form of a layer 951 of aforce-sensitive resistive material 944 on the top surface thereof,similarly to the force-sensitive element 750 of FIG. 16 . It isunderstood that this layer 951 may not be continuous in someembodiments. The insert 937 also is also configured for connection ofthe sensor leads 918 to the port 14 and is positioned such that when theinsert 937 is positioned between the foot contacting 133 and the midsole131, the interface 919 of the sensor leads 918 will be within oradjacent to the well 135 for connection through the port 14 with anelectronic module 22 received within the well 135. Additionally, thesole structure 130 can be provided with multiple inserts 937 havingelectrode assemblies 913 in different configurations. These otherinserts 937 can be removed and interchanged by lifting the footcontacting member 133 and replacing the insert 937 with another insert937 having electrode pairs 941 in a different configuration. This allowsa single article of footwear to be used with different sensorconfigurations as desired, for different applications, includingprograms running on the external device 110, as described above.

In another embodiment, shown in FIG. 19 , the sole structure 130contains a sensor system 1012, with an insert 1037 having an electrodeassembly 1013 connected thereto in the same configuration as theelectrode assembly 913 described above and shown in FIG. 18 . Assimilarly described above, the electrode assembly 1013 includeselectrode pairs 1041 and sensor leads 1018 that are connected to theinsert 1037 positioned between the midsole member 131 and the footcontacting member 133, with the leads 1018 terminating in an interface1019 for connection to the port 14. However, in the embodiment of FIG.19 , the midsole member 131 itself functions as the force-sensitiveresistive element 1050, and is composed entirely of the force-sensitiveresistive material 1044. This embodiment otherwise functions in the samemanner as the embodiment shown in FIG. 18 , and provides the sameinterchangeability. It is understood that, in an alternate embodiment,the foot contacting member 133 may be constructed of the force-sensitiveresistive material 1044, functioning as the force-sensitive resistiveelement 1050. In this configuration, the insert 1037 and/or theelectrode assembly 1013 may need to be reconfigured or repositioned tocontact the force-sensitive material 1044 on the top side, rather thanthe bottom side of the insert 1037.

It is understood that, in an alternate embodiment, the inserts 937, 1037shown in FIGS. 18-19 can be used with the insole member 133 containingor comprising the force-sensitive resistive element 950, 1050. Where theinsole 133 has the layer 951 of the force-sensitive resistive material944 located on the bottom surface thereof, rather than on the topsurface of the midsole member 131, the insert 937 and/or the electrodeassembly 913 may need to be reconfigured or re-oriented to contact theforce-sensitive material 944 on the top side, rather than the bottomside of the insert 937. The insole 133 may also have the layer 951 ofthe force-sensitive material 944 on the top side thereof, in which case,the insert 937, 1037 can be inserted on the top side as well. It isunderstood that if the entire insole 133 comprises the force-sensitiveresistive element 1050, the insert 937, 1037 can be used on either thetop or bottom side of the insole 133.

In another embodiment, shown in FIG. 20 , the sole structure 130contains a sensor system 1112, with an insert 1137 having an electrodeassembly 1113 connected thereto in the same configuration as theelectrode assembly 913 described above and shown in FIG. 18 . Assimilarly described above, the electrode assembly 1113 includeselectrode pairs 1141 and sensor leads 1118 that are connected to theinsert 1137 positioned between the midsole member 131 and the footcontacting member 133, with the leads 1118 terminating in an interface1119 for connection to the port 14. However, in the embodiment of FIG.20 , the force-sensitive resistive element 1150 is contained in aseparate liner 1151 of the force-sensitive resistive material 1144 thatis not attached to the midsole member 131 or the foot contacting member133. The liner 1151 may be entirely composed of the force-sensitiveresistive material 1144, or may contain portions or areas composed ofthe force-sensitive material 1144. Additionally, in this embodiment, theliner 1151 is positioned between the midsole member 131 and the insert1137, however in another embodiment, the liner 1151 may be positionedbetween the foot contacting member 133 and the insert 1137. It isunderstood that, if the position of the liner 1151 is changed, theinsert 1137 and/or the electrode assembly 1113 may need to bereconfigured or repositioned to contact the force-sensitive material1144 on the top side, rather than the bottom side of the insert 1137.Further, in other embodiments, the liner 1151 and insert 1137 can bepositioned anywhere in the sole structure 130, as long as the electrodepairs 1141 are in contact with the force-sensitive material 1144. Thisembodiment otherwise functions in the same manner as the embodimentshown in FIG. 18 , and provides the same interchangeability of differentelectrode assemblies. This embodiment also provides interchangeabilityof the force-sensitive element 1150, such as if a different material1144 is desired or if the force-sensitive element becomes damaged orworn out.

In another alternate embodiment, an insert member can be produced forconnection to another sole member, such as a foot contacting member 133or a midsole member 131. This insert member may be similar to theinserts 937, 1037, 1137 described above and shown in FIGS. 18-20 , suchas having a flexible webbing material (such as a polymer) that haselectrode pairs 941, 1041, 1141 and sensor leads 918, 1018, 1118 havingends configured for connection to the port 14, as described above. Thisconfiguration enables the electrode assembly 913, 1013, 1113 to bemounted upon any member of the sole structure 130 as desired, to createa complete sensor system. The insert member may be connectable to a solemember in many different ways, such as by adhesives, fasteners, welding,heat-sealing, or any other suitable technique. It is understood that theinsert member 937, 1037, 1137, in one embodiment, may have no webbingmaterial and may include only the electronic components of the sensorassembly 913, 1013, 1113.

It is understood that the quantum tunneling composites, customconductive foams, force transducing rubbers, and other force-sensitiveresistive materials discussed herein can be utilized to createindividual, self-contained sensors, similar to the FSR sensors 216described above and shown in FIG. 8 , and are not limited to use insensor assemblies having separate electrodes and force-sensitiveelements. Such individual sensors may contain two electrodes and aforce-sensitive resistive material, such as illustrated in FIGS. 9-10 .

In an alternate embodiment, shown in FIG. 21 , the sensor system 1212may include a sensor assembly 1213 that is connected to the upper 120 ofan article of footwear 100, rather than the sole structure 130. Any ofthe different types of sensors described above can be used in thisembodiment, and the sensors can be connected to the upper 120 in anysuitable manner. For example, in one embodiment, the sensors 1216 may beFSR sensors that are woven into the material of the upper, withconductive fabrics also woven into the upper to form the leads 1218. Inthis embodiment, the module 22 is shown contained in the sole 130 of theshoe 100, with the leads 1218 extending from the upper 120 underneaththe foot-contacting member 133 to a port 14 in communication with themodule 22. However, it is understood that the module 22 may be locatedelsewhere, including attached to the upper 120, in other embodiments.

The various interchangeable sole inserts described above herein canallow for custom development of sensor systems at a reasonable budget,including interchangeable inserts 437, 437A, 937, 1037, and 1137 havingsensor/electrode assemblies 413, 413A, 913, 1013, and 1113, as well asinterchangeable foot contacting members 133 having sensor/electrodeassemblies 513, 713, and 813. For example, FSR sensor inserts 437 and437A and the foot contacting member 133 having FSR sensor assembly 513can be custom-manufactured for various purposes by various differentsources, and can be inserted in a wide variety of footwear 100. Asanother example, inserts 937, 1037, and 1137 and foot contacting members133 having electrode assemblies 713, 813, 913, 1013, and 1113 cansimilarly be custom-manufactured and inserted in a wide variety offootwear 100. In one embodiment, footwear 100 can be manufacturedcontaining a force-sensitive resistive material, and any of the sensorassembly configurations 713, 813, 913, 1013, and 1113 can be insertedinto the footwear 100 to function with the force-sensitive material. Asdescribed above, separate liners 1151 of the force-sensitive resistivematerial 1144 can also be manufactured for insertion into a wide varietyof footwear, further increasing the versatility of the system. Asdescribed below, such sensor assemblies can be customized for use withspecific software for the electronic module 22 and/or the externaldevice 110. A third party may provide such software along with a soleinsert having a customized sensor assembly, as a package.

The operation and use of the sensor systems 12, 212, 312, 412, 412A,512, 612, 712, 812, 912, 1012, 1112, 1212 are described below withrespect to the sensor system 12 shown in FIGS. 3-5 , and it isunderstood that the principles of operation of the sensor system 12,including all embodiments and variations thereof, are applicable to theother embodiments of the sensor systems 212, 312, 412, 412A, 512, 612,712, 812, 912, 1012, 1112, 1212 described above. In operation, thesensors 16 gather data according to their function and design, andtransmit the data to the port 14. The port 14 then allows the electronicmodule 22 to interface with the sensors 16 and collect the data forlater use and/or processing. In one embodiment, the data is collected,stored, and transmitted in a universally readable format, so the data isable to be accessed and/or downloaded by a plurality of users, with avariety of different applications, for use in a variety of differentpurposes. In one example, the data is collected, stored, and transmittedin XML format.

In different embodiments, the sensor system 12 may be configured tocollect different types of data. In one embodiment (described above),the sensor(s) 16 can collect data regarding the number, sequence, and/orfrequency of compressions. For example, the system 12 can record thenumber or frequency of steps, jumps, cuts, kicks, or other compressiveforces incurred while wearing the footwear 100, as well as otherparameters, such as contact time and flight time. Both quantitativesensors and binary on/off type sensors can gather this data. In anotherexample, the system can record the sequence of compressive forcesincurred by the footwear, which can be used for purposes such asdetermining foot pronation or supination, weight transfer, foot strikepatterns, or other such applications. In another embodiment (alsodescribed above), the sensor(s) 16 are able to quantitatively measurethe compressive forces on the adjacent portions of the shoe 100, and thedata consequently can include quantitative compressive force and/orimpact measurement. Relative differences in the forces on differentportions of the shoe 100 can be utilized in determining weightdistribution and “center of pressure” of the shoe 100. The weightdistribution and/or center of pressure can be calculated independentlyfor one or both shoes 100, or can be calculated over both shoestogether, such as to find a center of pressure or center of weightdistribution for a person's entire body. As described above, arelatively densely packed array of on/off binary sensors can be used tomeasure quantitative forces by changes detected in “puddling” activationof the sensors during moments of greater compression. In furtherembodiments, the sensor(s) 16 may be able to measure rates of changes incompressive force, contact time, flight time or time between impacts(such as for jumping or running), and/or other temporally-dependentparameters. It is understood that, in any embodiment, the sensors 16 mayrequire a certain threshold force or impact before registering theforce/impact.

As described above, the data is provided through the universal port 14to the module 22 in a universally readable format, so that the number ofapplications, users, and programs that can use the data is nearlyunlimited. Thus, the port 14 and module 22 are configured and/orprogrammed as desired by a user, and the port 14 and module 22 receiveinput data from the sensor system 12, which data can be used in anymanner desired for different applications. In many applications, thedata is further processed by the module 22 and/or the external device110 prior to use. In configurations where the external device 110further processes the data, the module 22 may transmit the data to theexternal device 110. This transmitted data may be transmitted in thesame universally-readable format, or may be transmitted in anotherformat, and the module 22 may be configured to change the format of thedata. Additionally, the module 22 can be configured and/or programmed togather, utilize, and/or process data from the sensors 16 for one or morespecific applications. In one embodiment, the module 22 is configuredfor gathering, utilizing, and/or processing data for use in a pluralityof applications. Examples of such uses and applications are given below.As used herein, the term “application” refers generally to a particularuse, and does not necessarily refer to use in a computer programapplication, as that term is used in the computer arts. Nevertheless, aparticular application may be embodied wholly or partially in a computerprogram application.

Further, as illustrated in the embodiment of FIG. 22 , the module 22 canbe removed from the footwear 100 and replaced with a second module 22Aconfigured for operating differently than the first module 22. In theembodiment of FIG. 22 , the replacement is accomplished by lifting theinsole member 133, disconnecting the first module 22 from the port 14and removing the first module 22 from the well 135, then inserting thesecond module 22A into the well 135 and connecting the second module 22Ato the port 14, and finally placing the insole member 133 back intoposition. The second module 22A may be programmed and/or configureddifferently than the first module 22. In one embodiment, the firstmodule 22 may be configured for use in one or more specificapplications, and the second module 22A may be configured for use in oneor more different applications. For example, the first module 22 may beconfigured for use in one or more gaming applications and the secondmodule 22A may be configured for use in one or more athletic performancemonitoring applications. Additionally, the modules 22, 22A may beconfigured for use in different applications of the same type. Forexample, the first module 22 may be configured for use in one game orathletic performance monitoring application, and the second module 22Amay be configured for use in a different game or athletic performancemonitoring application. As another example, the modules 22, 22A may beconfigured for different uses within the same game or performancemonitoring application. In another embodiment, the first module 22 maybe configured to gather one type of data, and the second module 22A maybe configured to gather a different type of data. Examples of such typesof data are described herein, including quantitative force measurement,relative force measurement (i.e. sensors 16 relative to each other),weight shifting/transfer, impact sequences (such as for foot strikepatterns) rate of force change, etc. In a further embodiment, the firstmodule 22 may be configured to utilize or process data from the sensors16 in a different manner than the second module 22A. For example, themodules 22, 22A may be configured to only gather, store, and/orcommunicate data, or the modules 22, 22A may be configured to furtherprocess the data in some manner, such as organizing the data, changingthe form of the data, performing calculations using the data, etc. Inyet another embodiment, the modules 22, 22A may be configured tocommunicate differently, such as having different communicationinterfaces or being configured to communicate with different externaldevices 110. The modules 22, 22A may function differently in otheraspects as well, including both structural and functional aspects, suchas using different power sources or including additional or differenthardware components, such as additional sensors as described above (e.g.GPS, accelerometer, etc.).

One use contemplated for the data collected by the system 12 is inmeasuring weight transfer, which is important for many athleticactivities, such as a golf swing, a baseball/softball swing, a hockeyswing (ice hockey or field hockey), a tennis swing, throwing/pitching aball, etc. The pressure data collected by the system 12 can givevaluable feedback regarding balance and stability for use in improvingtechnique in any applicable athletic field. It is understood that moreor less expensive and complex sensor systems 12 may be designed, basedon the intended use of the data collected thereby.

The data collected by the system 12 can be used in measurement of avariety of other athletic performance characteristics. The data can beused to measure the degree and/or speed of foot pronation/supination,foot strike patterns, balance, and other such parameters, which can beused to improve technique in running/jogging or other athleticactivities. With regard to pronation/supination, analysis of the datacan also be used as a predictor of pronation/supination. Speed anddistance monitoring can be performed, which may include pedometer-basedmeasurements, such as contact measurement or loft time measurement. Jumpheight can also be measured, such as by using contact or loft timemeasurement. Lateral cutting force can be measured, includingdifferential forces applied to different parts of the shoe 100 duringcutting. The sensors 16 can also be positioned to measure shearingforces, such as a foot slipping laterally within the shoe 100. As oneexample, additional sensors may be incorporated into the sides of theupper 120 of the shoe 100 to sense forces against the sides. As anotherexample, a high-density array of binary sensors could detect shearingaction through lateral changes in “puddling” of the activated sensors.

In another embodiment, described above, one or more sensors 1216 canadditionally or alternately be incorporated into the upper 120 of theshoe 100. The sensors 1216 can be incorporated into the upper 120 in anymanner described above. For example, the sensors 1216 may be woven intothe material of the upper, with conductive fabrics also woven into theupper to form leads. In this configuration, additional parameters can bemeasured, such as kick force, such as for soccer or football, as well asnumber and/or frequency of “touches” in soccer.

The data, or the measurements derived therefrom, may be useful forathletic training purposes, including improving speed, power, quickness,consistency, technique, etc. The port 14, module 22, and/or externaldevice 110 can be configured to give the user active, real-timefeedback. In one example, the port 14 and/or module 22 can be placed incommunication with a computer, mobile device, etc., in order to conveyresults in real time. In another example, one or more vibration elementsmay be included in the shoe 100, which can give a user feedback byvibrating a portion of the shoe to help control motion, such as thefeatures disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,978,684, which is incorporatedherein by reference and made part hereof. Additionally, the data can beused to compare athletic movements, such as comparing a movement with auser's past movements to show consistency, improvement, or the lackthereof, or comparing a user's movement with the same movement ofanother, such as a professional golfer's swing. Further, the system 12may be used to record biomechanical data for a “signature” athleticmovement of an athlete. This data could be provided to others for use induplicating or simulating the movement, such as for use in gamingapplications or in a shadow application that overlays a movement over auser's similar movement.

The system 12 can also be configured for “all day activity” tracking, torecord the various activities a user engages in over the course of aday. The system 12 may include a special algorithm for this purpose,such as in the module 22, the external device 110, and/or the sensors16.

The system 12 may also be used for control applications, rather thandata collection and processing applications. In other words, the system12 could be incorporated into footwear, or another article thatencounters bodily contact, for use in controlling an external device110, such as a computer, television, video game, etc., based onmovements by the user detected by the sensors 16. In effect, thefootwear with the incorporated sensors 16 and leads 18 extending to auniversal port 14 allows the footwear to act as an input system, and theelectronic module 22 can be configured, programmed, and adapted toaccept the input from the sensors 16 and use this input data in anydesired manner, e.g., as a control input for a remote system. Forexample, a shoe with sensor controls could be used as a control or inputdevice for a computer, or for a program being executed by the computer,similarly to a mouse, where certain foot movements, gestures, etc.(e.g., a foot tap, double foot tap, heel tap, double heel tap,side-to-side foot movement, foot-point, foot-flex, etc.) can control apre-designated operation on a computer (e.g., page down, page up, undo,copy, cut, paste, save, close, etc.). Software can be provided to assignfoot gestures to different computer function controls for this purpose.It is contemplated that an operating system could be configured toreceive and recognize control input from the sensor system 12.Televisions or other external electronic devices can be controlled inthis manner. Footwear 100 incorporating the system 12 can also be usedin gaming applications and game programs, similarly to the Nintendo Wiicontroller, where specific movements can be assigned certain functionsand/or can be used to produce a virtual representation of the user'smotion on a display screen. As one example, center of pressure data andother weight distribution data can be used in gaming applications, whichmay involve virtual representations of balancing, weight shifting, andother performance activities. The system 12 can be used as an exclusivecontroller for a game or other computer system, or as a complementarycontroller. Examples of configurations and methods of using sensorsystems for articles of footwear as controls for external devices andfoot gestures for such controls are shown and described in U.S.Provisional Application No. 61/138,048, which is incorporated byreference herein in its entirety.

Additionally, the system 12 may be configured to communicate directlywith the external device 110 and/or with a controller for the externaldevice. As described above, FIG. 6 illustrates one embodiment forcommunication between the electronic module 22 and the external device.In another embodiment, shown in FIG. 23 , the system 12 can beconfigured for communication with an external gaming device 110A. Theexternal gaming device 110A contains similar components to the exemplaryexternal device 110 shown in FIG. 6 . The external gaming device 110Aalso includes at least one game media 307 containing a game program(e.g. a cartridge, CD, DVD, Blu-Ray, or other storage device), and atleast one remote controller 305 configured to communicate by wiredand/or wireless connection through the transmitting/receiving element108. In the embodiment shown, the controller 305 complements the userinput 310, however in one embodiment, the controller 305 may function asthe sole user input. In this embodiment, the system 12 is provided withan accessory device 303, such as a wireless transmitter/receiver with aUSB plug-in, that is configured to be connected to the external device110 and/or the controller 305 to enable communication with the module22. In one embodiment, the accessory device 303 may be configured to beconnected to one or more additional controllers and/or external devices,of the same and/or different type than the controller 305 and theexternal device 110. It is understood that if the system 12 includesother types of sensors described above (e.g., an accelerometer), suchadditional sensors can also be incorporated into controlling a game orother program on an external device 110.

An external device 110, such as a computer/gaming system, can beprovided with other types of software to interact with the system 12.For example, a gaming program may be configured to alter the attributesof an in-game character based on a user's real-life activities, whichcan encourage exercise or greater activity by the user. In anotherexample, a program may be configured to display an avatar of the userthat acts in relation or proportion to the user activity collected bythe sensing system of the shoe. In such a configuration, the avatar mayappear excited, energetic, etc., if the user has been active, and theavatar may appear sleepy, lazy, etc., if the user has been inactive. Thesensor system 12 could also be configured for more elaborate sensing torecord data describing a “signature move” of an athlete, which couldthen be utilized for various purposes, such as in a gaming system ormodeling system.

A single article of footwear 100 containing the sensor system 12 asdescribed herein can be used alone or in combination with a secondarticle of footwear 100′ having its own sensor system 12′, such as apair of shoes 100, 100′ as illustrated in FIGS. 24-26 . The sensorsystem 12′ of the second shoe 100′ generally contains one or moresensors 16′ connected by sensor leads 18′ to a port 14′ in communicationwith an electronic module 22′. The second sensor system 12′ of thesecond shoe 100′ shown in FIGS. 24-26 has the same configuration as thesensor system 12 of the first shoe 100. However, in another embodiment,the shoes 100, 100′ may have sensor systems 12, 12′ having differentconfigurations. The two shoes 100, 100′ are both configured forcommunication with the external device 110, and in the embodimentillustrated, each of the shoes 100, 100′ has an electronic module 22,22′ configured for communication with the external device 110. Inanother embodiment, both shoes 100, 100′ may have ports 14, 14′configured for communication with the same electronic module 22. In thisembodiment, at least one shoe 100, 100′ may be configured for wirelesscommunication with the module 22. FIGS. 24-26 illustrate various modesfor communication between the modules 22, 22′

FIG. 24 illustrates a “mesh” communication mode, where the modules 22,22′ are configured for communicating with each other, and are alsoconfigured for independent communication with the external device 110.FIG. 25 illustrates a “daisy chain” communication mode, where one module22′ communicates with the external device 110 through the other module22. In other words, the second module 22′ is configured to communicatesignals (which may include data) to the first module 22, and the firstmodule 22 is configured to communicate signals from both modules 22, 22′to the external device 110. Likewise, the external device communicateswith the second module 22′ through the first module 22, by sendingsignals to the first module 22, which communicates the signals to thesecond module 22′. In one embodiment, the modules 22, 22′ can alsocommunicate with each other for purposes other than transmitting signalsto and from the external device 110. FIG. 26 illustrates an“independent” communication mode, where each module 22, 22′ isconfigured for independent communication with the external device 110,and the modules 22, 22′ are not configured for communication with eachother. In other embodiments, the sensor systems 12, 12′ may beconfigured for communication with each other and/or with the externaldevice 110 in another manner.

Still other uses and applications of the data collected by the system 12are contemplated within the scope of the invention and are recognizableto those skilled in the art.

As will be appreciated by one of skill in the art upon reading thepresent disclosure, various aspects described herein may be embodied asa method, a data processing system, or a computer program product.Accordingly, those aspects may take the form of an entirely hardwareembodiment, an entirely software embodiment or an embodiment combiningsoftware and hardware aspects. Furthermore, such aspects may take theform of a computer program product stored by one or more tangiblecomputer-readable storage media or storage devices havingcomputer-readable program code, or instructions, embodied in or on thestorage media. Any suitable tangible computer readable storage media maybe utilized, including hard disks, CD-ROMs, optical storage devices,magnetic storage devices, and/or any combination thereof. In addition,various intangible signals representing data or events as describedherein may be transferred between a source and a destination in the formof electromagnetic waves traveling through signal-conducting media suchas metal wires, optical fibers, and/or wireless transmission media(e.g., air and/or space).

As described above, aspects of the present invention may be described inthe general context of computer-executable instructions, such as programmodules, being executed by a computer and/or a processor thereof.Generally, program modules include routines, programs, objects,components, data structures, etc. that perform particular tasks orimplement particular abstract data types. Such a program module may becontained in a tangible computer-readable medium, as described above.Aspects of the present invention may also be practiced in distributedcomputing environments where tasks are performed by remote processingdevices that are linked through a communications network. Programmodules may be located in a memory, such as the memory 204 of the module22 or memory 304 of the external device 110, or an external medium, suchas game media 307, which may include both local and remote computerstorage media including memory storage devices. It is understood thatthe module 22, the external device 110, and/or external media mayinclude complementary program modules for use together, such as in aparticular application. It is also understood that a single processor202, 302 and single memory 204, 304 are shown and described in themodule 22 and the external device 110 for sake of simplicity, and thatthe processor 202, 302 and memory 204, 304 may include a plurality ofprocessors and/or memories respectively, and may comprise a system ofprocessors and/or memories.

The various embodiments of the sensor system described herein, as wellas the articles of footwear, foot contacting members, inserts, and otherstructures incorporating the sensor system, provide benefits andadvantages over existing technology. For example, many of the sensorembodiments described herein provide relatively low cost and durableoptions for sensor systems, so that a sensor system can be incorporatedinto articles of footwear with little added cost and good reliability.As a result, footwear can be manufactured with integral sensor systemsregardless of whether the sensor systems are ultimately desired to beused by the consumer, without appreciably affecting price. Additionally,sole inserts with customized sensor systems can be inexpensivelymanufactured and distributed along with software designed to utilize thesensor systems, without appreciably affecting the cost of the software.As another example, the sensor system provides a wide range offunctionality for a wide variety of applications, including gaming,fitness, athletic training and improvement, practical controls forcomputers and other devices, and many others described herein andrecognizable to those skilled in the art. In one embodiment, third-partysoftware developers can develop software configured to run using inputfrom the sensor systems, including games and other programs. The abilityof the sensor system to provide data in a universally readable formatgreatly expands the range of third party software and other applicationsfor which the sensor system can be used. As a further example, thevarious sole inserts containing sensor systems, including liners,insoles, and other elements, permit interchangeability and customizationof the sensor system for different applications.

Several alternative embodiments and examples have been described andillustrated herein. A person of ordinary skill in the art wouldappreciate the features of the individual embodiments, and the possiblecombinations and variations of the components. A person of ordinaryskill in the art would further appreciate that any of the embodimentscould be provided in any combination with the other embodimentsdisclosed herein. It is understood that the invention may be embodied inother specific forms without departing from the spirit or centralcharacteristics thereof. The present examples and embodiments,therefore, are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and notrestrictive, and the invention is not to be limited to the details givenherein. The terms “first,” “second,” “top,” “bottom,” etc., as usedherein, are intended for illustrative purposes only and do not limit theembodiments in any way. Additionally, the term “plurality,” as usedherein, indicates any number greater than one, either disjunctively orconjunctively, as necessary, up to an infinite number. Further,“Providing” an article or apparatus, as used herein, refers broadly tomaking the article available or accessible for future actions to beperformed on the article, and does not connote that the party providingthe article has manufactured, produced, or supplied the article or thatthe party providing the article has ownership or control of the article.Accordingly, while specific embodiments have been illustrated anddescribed, numerous modifications come to mind without significantlydeparting from the spirit of the invention and the scope of protectionis only limited by the scope of the accompanying Claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An article of footwear comprising: an uppermember at least partially defining a foot-receiving chamber; a solestructure engaged with the upper member; a port connected to the articleof footwear and configured for communication with an electronic module;and a sensor system connected to the article of footwear and comprisinga plurality of force sensors connected to the sole structure and aplurality of leads extending from the force sensors to the port to placethe force sensors in communication with the port.